HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0400.121 2002-2004 SY 48
JAMES Y. ARAKAKI oo~~?~"'" Phone: (808} 961-8272
`~`~'P FAX: 808 96t-8912
Ctrnirnaun & Presiding Clfficer ~ }
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COUNTY COUNCIL
Ha~~~ai "i County Building
2S Azrpuni Street
Hilo, Hativai `i 96720 U t~
September 1, 2004 _
Honorable Governor Linda Lingle
Executive Chambers
State Capitol
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 -
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Dear Governor Lingle,
Aloha!
I am writing to request your help and guidance regarding state funding and adesign/build timetable for
the 4-lane widening of the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway from Kailua-Kona to the airport in Keohole.
As you know, since the tragic events of 9-11, the Neighbor Islands -West Hawaii and Maui in
particular -have led Hawai`i's economic recovery. Along with surging visitor counts, construction
activity, real estate sales and tax receipts, the County of Hawaii is hard-pressed to sustain and justify
such growth without commensurate infrastructure. Nowhere is this pressure more evident than in Kona's
current traffic woes.
For two decades, the County and State have agreed that the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway should be
widened to four lanes from Kailua-Kona to Kawaihae. Since 1998, traffic on the Queen Ka`aliumanu
Highway has exceeded capacity. Kona residents are understandably frustrated. Impending
developments, including the welcomed Superferry, will-only compound traffic woes in Kona and Kohala
until the long-awaited expansion gets underway.
Recently, in his implementation of a "concturency" policy focused on roads, Mayor Kim vetoed a
commercial/residential rezoning development (Clifto's) adjacent to NELHA precisely because of the
unknown funding and timetable for the first increment of the Queen Ka`ahumanu widening project. The
County Council will take up consideration of the Mayor's veto message at its next meeting in Kona on
September 15`''. It would be very helpful to the Council and the people of West Hawaii if you could
provide us with a clear signal of your administration's intentions and timetable for the Queen
Ka`ahumanu Highway widening project.
Th nk you for your help with this request and please accept my very best wishes.
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j. s . Araka Chair
Haw `i County Council
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